Jaina Gazette 1928

SR No.: 034890
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ajitprasad, C S Mallinath
Publisher: Jaina Gazettee Office
Publication Year: 1928
Total Pages: 502
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 33 MB

Page 390

VASTUPALA
221 return, the grateful man spoke very highly of Vastupala to the king who invited the latter to Delhi 1 and agreed to regard Viradhavala henceforward as his friend and ally.
In A. D. 1221, Vastupala earned the much-coveted distinction of the Sanghapati or 'the Master of the Order' by conducting his memorable pilgrimage to Shatrunjay and Girnar. In response to a general invitation issued by him to his coreligionists 2 , hundreds of intending pilgrims_.men and women --flocked to him and marched on under his protection. As a leader of the pilgrimage, he provided them with conveyances, food and, in case of sickness, with medicines and physicians. According to Merutunga, the religious caravan consisted of twenty-one thousand Svetambaras and three hundred Digambaras and was guarded by a thousand horsemen and seven hundred riders on red she-camels and four military officers of high rank. When the foot of Shatrunjay was reached, Vastupala made a great encampment, 3 'The ascent of the mountain took place in the murning after his arrival. The first sanctuary that the pilgrims visited was that of the yaksha Kapardin. Vastupala worshipped the yaksha and sang a hymn in his praise. Then he hastened to the temple of Adinatha (Rishabha), whither the majority of the pilgrims followed him in dense crowds. Vastupala, still covered with the dust of the journey, fell down before the lord of the Jinas and adored him with a hymn of praise. 4 Then, and noi till then, did he indulge in ablutions, whereupon the pilgrims followed his example and he and they approached the Chaitya with dancing and song. Then he washed the image, in accordance with due prescription, with saffron-water and anointed it with musk and hung garlands round it. The pilgrims, at the same time, burned so much incense, that the temple was completely darkened by the fumes and finally the
1. Vastupala is stated to have stayed with his friend and co-religionist Punada at Delhi.
2 Jinadatta suri, the famous author of the Viveka-vilasa, was with the party.
3 Tawney, Prabandhachintamani introd. P, XVI.
4 It was specially composed by Vastupala for the great occasion. It has been printed as an appendix to the Naranarayanananda, Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat